Winn Parish Sheriff Cranford Jordan said he was advised by state Wildlife and Fisheries officials to ignore the animal so that it might eventually leave. But, that doesn't appear to have worked with this stubborn bear.

"Now he's all over town," Cranford said. "We've never had a bear in the city of Winnfield before and a lot of people are scared to death."

Those who aren't afraid have been trying to get a closer look at the local celebrity.

The sheriff says his department has had to cordon off a six-block area in downtown in order to make sure residents were safe.

Friday afternoon, the Department of Wildlife and fisheries finally made its way to Winnfield and tranquilized the bear. The sheriff says the troublesome animal has been "arrested" and will be released back into the wild.